Chapter – The Starlit Ceremony
It was already night when the trio made their way through the glowing streets of Nexus City.
The air shimmered with golden dust from mana lamps, and sky trains glided overhead like silver arrows. People filled the lanes, laughing, eating, their voices echoing through the heart of the most advanced city on the continent.
The path to the Ceremony Hall curved through a garden lit by floating lanterns and glass pillars that pulsed with energy. From the outside, the hall looked like a fusion of ancient Indian architecture and futuristic design—massive marble arches engraved with Sanskrit runes, merging into shining crystal walls that touched the clouds.
Besides the hall tere were beautiful garden
As the trio walked in
"Whoa…" Anay whispered, staring at the massive gates as they opened automatically with a faint hum.
Inside, the air buzzed with excitement. Music played from enchanted speakers; servers moved through the crowd carrying trays of glowing drinks and sizzling snacks—mini samosas, butter pav rolls, and spicy fries dusted with mana salt. Everyone stood in groups—rich families in elegant attire, participants dressed in sleek combat robes, journalists clicking holo-photos.
Kael grabbed a drink that shimmered blue under the lights. "Mana mocktail. Stronger than it looks," he said with a grin.
Liora took one too, her eyes scanning the room. "The energy here… it's intense."
Anay nodded quietly, feeling it too—something electric in the air, as if everyone here carried ambition like fire.
Suddenly, a hush spread through the hall. The music softened.
A girl entered.
Her presence alone made the crowd turn. She had bright yellow hair, catching the golden lights like threads of sunlight. Her eyes were ocean blue, calm yet piercing, and her posture carried both confidence and grace. The whispers started immediately—
"That's her… the daughter of the Tech Industry master, the genius of Nexus…"
"A prodigy. She's just 12 years old
"She's… stunning."
Beautiful
Whispers apperwad from crowd
The air felt different as she walked past—composed, elegant, untouchable.
And then—her eyes met Anay's.
For a heartbeat, everything slowed.
The noise, the lights, the chatter—all faded into silence.
Her gaze was curious, as if she had found something unexpected. She smiled softly, faint but genuine, before turning away.
Kael noticed but said nothing—just smirked faintly.
Then, of course, the crowd broke into motion again. A group of well-dressed boys, full of false confidence, moved toward her.
"Hey, mrs beautiful, how about a dance?"
"You're too gorgeous to stand alone."
Pls have a dance with us we will be pleased
She didn't even look at them. Calmly, she stepped aside, her expression unreadable. The rejection was silent but sharp—the kind that made them instantly awkward.
Before the tension could rise, the hall lights dimmed. A tall man with neatly combed hair and a confident smile walked onto the stage, microphone in hand.
"Good evening, everyone," his voice rang warmly. "I'm Hritik Rao, the event manager of the Yuddha Tournament Ceremony. On behalf of the Nexus Council, I welcome each of you!"
Applause filled the air.
He continued, "Tonight, we celebrate courage, ambition, and unity. To every participant—tomorrow begins your battle. Fight not for fame, but for the light that burns within!"
Cheers erupted. Mana lights burst into waves of gold above the crowd.
The ceremony continue
After some time
The guest and participants were enjoying
But amid the noise, a sudden shout came from the left wing—two well-dressed businessmen were in a heated argument.
"You spilled water on my shirt, you fool!"
"And you pushed me first!"
People stepped back, unsure what to do.
Anay sighed softly and walked forward before anyone else could move.
"Excuse me, sirs," he said politely, voice calm but firm. "I understand it's frustrating, but please… not here. It's a special night. You're both respected guests of Nexus."
They glared at him, still angry. Anay didn't flinch.
"If it's really about who's at fault, let's be fair. The hall has mana-recorders. They capture everything for security. We can check the replay right now—no arguments, no insults. Just truth."
The crowd went silent. The logic was simple, sharp, and impossible to refute.
After a pause, one man looked embarrassed. "Ah… I didn't mean to shout."
"Nor I," the other sighed. They nodded to each other, muttering apologies.
The tension broke into a light chuckle from the crowd.
Hritik Rao smiled from the stage. "A wise young man indeed."
As Anay stepped back, Kael clapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Nice one, peacemaker."
Liora added, amused, "You handled that better than half the council would've."
Just then, that calm, soothing voice spoke again.
"You're quick-witted," Aanya said, approaching. Up close, her yellow hair glowed faintly under the mana lights. "Most people avoid getting involved, but you solved it with reason. Impressive."
Anay rubbed his neck awkwardly. "I just… didn't want it to ruin the mood."
Her smile deepened slightly. "Still, it takes clarity to do that. We'll meet again tomorrow."
She turned, her hair flowing like light as she disappeared into the crowd.
Kael whistled quietly. "Well, well. Someone's already noticed you."
Liora smirked. "And not just anyone."
Anay sighed, trying to hide the faint blush that rose to his face. "It's not like that…"
Kael grinned. "Yeah, yeah. Tell that to your heartbeat."
They all laughed softly as fireworks burst outside, painting the Nexus skyline in violet and gold. From the balcony, the city stretched endlessly below—bright, alive, divine.
And as the lights reflected in Anay's eyes, he couldn't help but think—
Tomorrow, everything would change.